New beach attracts 100,000 in first summer

Over 100,000 people made use of the new beach at St George's Bay last summer, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said during its official inauguration yesterday.

The project, which involved turning a predominantly rocky area into a beach, cost around Lm550,000 and should prove even more popular in its second summer now that it has become established.

The project included bringing in sand, the building of a storm water culvert and a storm water system, the upgrading of the drainage system pump room to reduce the risk of drainage leaks and the building of a promenade around the beach.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the promenade improved the product on offer to tourists staying at hotels in the area, apart from serving as an attraction to Maltese people.

He said the project also includes catering facilities, a kiosk in the centre of the bay and toilets. He explained that the beach management included the testing of water quality every week.

Part of St George's Bay will be operated by the Eden Leisure Group which will be spending around Lm320,000 to develop its own lido.

A rocky bay in Bugibba will also be turned into a sandy beach, in similar style to the St George's Bay project, Dr Zammit Dimech said.

He said the new bay would offer high-level facilities which would enhance the tourist product in the St Paul's Bay, Bugibba and Qawra area. Work on the new beach is expected to start next year.